Most destructive fire in Colorado history
Firefighters made little headway Thursday against a raging wildfire near Colorado Springs, Colorado, which has scorched close to 16,000 acres, destroyed 360 homes and claimed at least two lives.
Witnesses spoke to the two victims in the afternoon, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa told reporters.
"They said that they could see a glow to the west. They were packing their personal belongings, trying to get out," he said.
Earlier, county spokesman Dave Rose told CNN that the Black Forest Fire, burning northeast of the city, now appears to be the most destructive in terms of property lost in state history.
What is a derecho?
A fast-moving storm system struck parts of the Upper Midwest hard on Wednesday evening, delivering blows to Chicago and many other communities before moving quickly to inflict damage farther east.
The Windy City itself experienced gusts that measured about 50 mph around 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET), in addition to dime-size hail, the National Weather Service's Chicago branch said.
Cities and towns near Chicago were affected as well.
Dangers of being in traffic in a tornado
Residents in Oklahoma who were commuting home last week when the storm gained strength became vulnerable on the highway. Some may have planned ahead to escape the tornado, but regardless they were stuck on the road and risked becoming the victim of flash flooding.
CNN's Chad Myers says a car is never a safe place to be during a twister. "When a tornado gets done with a car, there's no place left for you in it. The entire thing is smashed to bits," he tells Anderson Cooper.
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms at least 18 people died on Friday. Three men who lost their lives were storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young. Myers emphasizes that Tim was not a daredevil and not carelessly on the road, but a scientist collecting data to better help the government.
Friend: Storm chaser's death a mystery
Storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young died in an Oklahoma twister. Josh Wurman talks with Anderson Cooper about the risks of his profession pursuing and studying powerful storms.
Family hides from tornado, dies in drain
CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on a family in Oklahoma that hid from Friday's tornado in a storm drain but tragically died when the drain flooded.
Oklahoma governor: 'I'm very concerned'
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke with Anderson Cooper as tornadoes were touching down near Oklahoma City Friday night. At least 20 people died in the storms that overturned cars on the highway and left at least 86,000 people without power.
Cars stuck in traffic on Interstates 35 and 40 were in jeopardy as the twisters passed through Oklahoma. Governor Fallin said her major concern was regarding the people in those vehicles.
"We actually put warning signs with our Department of Transportation on the highway to be aware of the weather ... to try to get people, you know, just to go home," she said. After what happened to the cars in Moore, Oklahoma during a tornado last week, Fallin feared a similar scene of mangled and crushed metal.
New tornado takes aim at Moore, Oklahoma
Mayor Glenn Lewis of Moore, Oklahoma, tells Anderson Cooper he can't believe his town is bracing for another potential tornado. He spoke by phone on AC360 while awaiting the storm in a shelter.
At least four reported twisters touched down in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on Friday night leaving more than 60,000 people without power, according to the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for areas in and near Oklahoma City, which indicates a powerful tornado could head into a densely populated area with the potential for serious damage.
Storm chaser records video inside twister
Sean Casey has a customized truck he uses to get close to tornadoes. He describes the process to CNN's Wolf Blitzer while pursuing a storm.
Principal: Teachers saved students
911 calls detail the Oklahoma tornado's destruction, and Plaza Elementary School principal describes teachers' heroic actions.
Healing the horses affected by Oklahoma tornado
Doctors work to save horses who were injured and displaced after the OKlahoma tornado. Horse trainers Randall Weidner and Lindsay White lost all 12 of their thoroughbred and quarter horses when a tornado destroyed their home and barn in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20. A fund has been established to help them recover. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.
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